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Combat Modes

Every tamed pet in Petting operates under a configurable Combat Mode. The combat mode dictates when and how the pet engages hostile entities or defends its owner.

Combat modes are configured on the pet's equipped Collar via the pet inventory screen (Shift + Right-Click). If a pet has no collar equipped, it uses the server default combat mode (Aggressive by default).

Pet Inventory GUI

The Five Modes

In the Collar tab of the pet inventory, clicking the mode button cycles through all five modes in order:
PASSIVE → DEFENSIVE → AGGRESSIVE → WANDER → GUARD → PASSIVE.

1. Passive Mode

"Pet never initiates combat or attacks."

  • The pet will never attack any entity under any circumstances.
  • Overrides: Retaliation and Defend Other Pets toggles are completely inactive while in Passive mode.
  • Ideal for utility pets, mounts, or delicate companions you want kept safe from harm.

2. Defensive Mode

"Defends you when attacked. Never initiates combat."

  • The pet will attack whatever mob deals damage to its owner.
  • The pet will never initiate combat against passive or unprovoked mobs.
  • If Retaliate is enabled, it will also fight back if it takes damage itself.
  • If Defend Other Pets is enabled, it will protect fellow pets belonging to the same owner within 16 blocks when they are attacked.

3. Aggressive Mode

"Attacks what you strike and defends you when attacked."

  • The pet attacks whatever mob you strike (your current target).
  • The pet defends you whenever you are attacked by a mob.
  • The pet will proactively seek out and attack untamed hostile monsters in the area.
  • If Retaliate is enabled, it fights back when damaged.
  • If Defend Other Pets is enabled, it protects fellow pets when they are attacked.

4. Wander Mode

"Stays in this area and wanders freely within wander radius without following you away."

  • When switched to Wander mode, the pet anchors its home post at its current block position.
  • It will wander freely within the configured Wander Radius (controlled by the slider in the Collar tab, from 2 to 32 blocks by default).
  • It does not follow the owner away from this post.
  • If knocked or lured farther than 64 blocks away from its post, it snaps back towards its post.
  • Retaliation and Defend Other Pets still apply if enabled.

5. Guard Mode

"Patrols this area and actively hunts untamed hostile monsters within patrol radius."

  • When switched to Guard mode, the pet anchors its patrol post at its current block position.
  • It stays within its configured Patrol Radius (slider from 2 to 32 blocks).
  • It actively detects and hunts down untamed hostile monsters that enter its patrol radius.
  • Includes a leash buffer: if pursuing a hostile mob, it will abandon the chase and return home if the target moves more than 10 blocks beyond its patrol radius.

Tactical Sub-Toggles

In addition to the primary mode, each collar provides four tactical sub-toggles:

Toggle Description Behavior
Retaliate Fight back when damaged When damaged by another entity, immediately sets that attacker as the pet's target. (Inactive in Passive mode).
Defend Defend other pets Protects any fellow pet owned by the same player within 16 blocks when attacked. (Inactive in Passive mode).
Ranged Prefer ranged attacks When ON, if the pet is holding a Bow or Crossbow, it maintains distance (16 blocks) and shoots arrows rather than charging into melee.
Teleport Follow teleportation When ON, the pet teleports to its owner if the distance exceeds the configured Teleport Distance slider. When OFF, the pet only follows on foot or wings.

Target Safety Hierarchy

Whenever a pet acquires an attack target, automatic safety checks protect you and your allies:

  1. State check: Dead, sitting, or passive combat mode pets will not attack.
  2. Passive mob check: Non-hostile pets (cows, sheep, pigs, etc.) will not attack unless enablePassiveMobAttacks is set to true on the server.
  3. Owner immunity: Pets can never target their owner.
  4. Friendly fire check: Pets belonging to the same owner will not target each other (unless petsCanAttackPets is enabled on the server).
  5. Allied passenger check: Pets will not target entities riding them or the vehicle they are mounted on.
  6. Leash check: In Guard and Wander modes, pets will not pursue enemies beyond their patrol perimeter.

Related Pages: Collars · Pet Behavior · Pet Inventory · Configuration